title: Diagnostic significance of myofibrillar degeneration of cardiocytes in forensic pathology.
abstract: The incidence of myofibrillar degeneration (MFD) was studied in the following different forensic-pathological diagnostic groups of 25 cases each: acute morphine intoxication, acute carbon monoxide intoxication, hanging, strangulation by hand/ligature, drowning, acute hemorrhagic shock, lethal acute brain injury, explainable death of babies or infants and sudden infant death syndrome, together with 18 cases of intoxication with various drugs. The MFD was demonstrated by the Luxol-fast-blue reaction, with two types of phenomena being differentiated, namely cross-band lesions and diffuse staining. All diagnostic groups included cases of MFD of differing degrees. Cross-band lesions were observed in practically all cases of hanging, strangulation and acute hemorrhagic shock. Diffuse stain was noted particularly in cases of drowning and acute brain injury. The diagnostic significance is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Lübeck, F.R.G.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oehmichen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pedal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hohmann
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000473:pathology; D004332:Drowning / Q000473:pathology; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009020:Morphine / Q000506:poisoning; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009210:Myofibrils / Q000473:pathology*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000473:pathology; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000473:pathology; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine